Superintendent Boone cites 'climate change' in Worcester schools

Tuesday

Oct 22, 2013 at 6:00 AM

After reading "The Little Engine That Could" in its entirety, School Superintendent Melinda Boone called city schools "the district that could." Ms. Boone's annual state of the schools address last night played well to an audience in the North High School auditorium, packed with school administrators and teachers.

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — After reading "The Little Engine That Could" in its entirety, School Superintendent Melinda Boone called city schools "the district that could."

Ms. Boone's annual state of the schools address played well to an audience in the North High School auditorium, packed with school administrators and teachers.

She called out many of those administrators in commending significant gains and successes in various areas, from Union Hill Elementary's exit from Level 4 status with the state, to strong Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores at the Goddard Scholars Academy at Sullivan Middle School, part of what Ms. Boone called "in-district charter-like opportunities."

"We don't have to give ourselves away to be successful," Ms. Boone said.

She said Union Hill's turnaround was not just about improving test scores; it was also credited in part to an examination of instructional practices, professional development and an overall "climate change" of culture. She also noted gains in cooperation reached with the Educational Association of Worcester, an organization with which she acknowledged she doesn't always see eye to eye.

The school chief also noted consistent performances of schools such as West Tatnuck, Worcester Arts Magnet and Worcester Technical High School — schools that have maintained Level 1 status with the state for four consecutive years. She said 48 percent of city schools are Level 1 or Level 2 schools.

She noted challenges of everything from budgets to an uptick in the dropout rate. But she said the graduation rate continues to climb, and said achievement gaps are narrowing in many areas.

Ms. Boone recounted how many of the nation's educational firsts were marked right here in Massachusetts, and extended her point through the modern era. She said the 90 percent of the Common Core standards most states are moving to are already in the existing state frameworks.

She said the district has made big gains in science, technology, engineering and math programs; she took a shot at Washington by noting that No Child Left Behind "left behind science and technology."

Miata Brima, a student at North High School, gave the student address that typically follows Ms. Boone's remarks. The vice chairman of the Citywide Parent Planning Advisory Council also spoke.

Ms. Brima said she has benefitted from her education in city schools. She said she enjoys what she described as North's family-oriented atmosphere, and said there is a real level of commitment from faculty and staff.

"With such a commitment, all that's required of me is hard work," Ms. Brima said.